UK Sailing superstars at RYA Dinghy Show 2013

by Emma Slater on 22 Feb 2013 Not one, not two, but eight of the UK’s finest dinghy sailors will be heading to the RYA Dinghy Show 2013 over the weekend of 02-03 March to share their top tips, answer your questions, sign autographs and much more.

On Saturday we are joined by London 2012 / Team Volvo sailors Kate Macgregor and Annie Lush and fellow Skandia Team GBR sailors Nick Thompson and Dylan Fletcher.

Nick, Kate, Dylan and Annie will officially open the show on Saturday when they cut the ribbon and sound the starters’ horn, before taking part in main stage talks, leading coaching sessions, handing out prizes, signing autographs as well as trying their hand at some of the shows interactive activities including; the model boat pool, the Magic Marine Trapezing Wall, Holt Blow Boat Challenge, Marlow Ropes Splicing and the RYA Volvo Sail for Gold Game throughout the day.

On the main stage at 10.30 (Saturday and Sunday), Nick will be sharing his knowledge on rounding the windward and leeward marks in the ‘Get the best from your Laser’ talk. At midday it’s Annie and Kate’s turn to hit the main stage when they shares their tips about what’s involved in making it to the top in the ‘Going for Gold’ talk and chat about 2012 and beyond.

Over in the coaching area (Panorama Hall) at 14.00, rising 49er star Dylan Fletcher will be pairing up with Kate Macgregor to share their knowledge in ‘Trapezing Tips’. Learn how to be steady on the side of the boat and get optimum performance through the corners with Kate slipping in to the harness to show you how it’s done.

Nick, Kate and Annie will also be helping hand out some top prizes during the day including the prestigious Club of the Year award, prizes for the Topper Nationals and winner’s prizes in the Pirate Treasure Hunt and fancy dress competitions.

If you’re a keen skiff sailor then don’t miss Dylan on the RYA stand at 14.45, where he will be sharing some tips on 49er sailing and signing autographs.

On Sunday Nick is back on the main stage for his insightful and informative Laser talk and is joined for the day by 2012 Paralympic gold medallist Helena Lucas, 2012 Olympic silver medallist Luke Patience, double Olympic silver medallist Joe Glanfield and 2012 Olympic / Team Volvo sailor, Lucy Macgregor.

Luke will be taking over for the Going for Gold talk on the main stage at 12.00, so if you’re looking for some useful advice on the road to becoming a champion then don’t miss this, before being joined by fellow 2012 Olympic and Paralympic sailors, Lucy and Helena for a chat about 2012 and beyond .

Luke will also be unveiling details of his 2016 campaign, and, after parting ways with Stuart Bithell at the end of 2012, will be revealing the new crew with whom he hopes to sail to gold in Rio 2016.

In the coaching area it’s Lucy Macgregor’s turn to try on the harness and demo some top trapezing tips when she joins 470 sailor Joe Glanfield for the Trapezing Tips coaching session, with Helena giving her best advice for getting a good racing start at 15.00.

Helena will also be helping the RYA launch the RYA ‘Push the Boat Out Weekender’ event at 11.30 on the RYA stand, come along and find out more about this exciting event for the 2013 sailing calendar.

Luke will be available for autographs on the RYA stand at 13.15, as well as joining the other sailors trying out the activities around the show, see who you can spot and you never know you might end up model boat racing with Luke or challenging Lucy at the Holt Blow Boat Challenge.

Once again our sailors will be helping issue some amazing prizes throughout the show. At 13.45 Nick will take to the main stage to unveil the individual and class winners of the SailX Championship. Over on the RS stand (B50) at 16.15 Lucy will announce the winner of RS Tera Design a Sail competition, with the lucky winner picking up a brand new RS Tera dinghy, while at 16.30 Helena and Luke will be handing out the prizes for the best pirate and the Treasure hunt winners back on the main stage.

So why not join Helena, Lucy, Kate, Annie, Luke, Nick, Joe and Dylan at the show, 02-03 March, Alexandra Palace, London.

Buy your tickets in advance and you will also receive a free subscription for three digital issues of Yachts & Yachting magazine and have the chance to help your club win some amazing prizes.

For more information about what’s on, competitions, ticket information and online booking visit www.dinghyshow.org.uk or call the ticket hotline on 0844 858 9069.